Treasury Secretary says honeymoon travel request wasn't about luxury

Steven Mnuchin said his office asked for use of a government jet so that he could have access to secure communications but later withdrew the request. The incident is the subject of an inquiry by the department's inspector general.

Next this evening, to Steve mnuchin answering questions after a firestorm over his personal travel. As we first reported last night here, the treasury secretary asked to take a government plane on his overseas honeymoon. And it came after another controversial trip on a government plane, his wife posting a photo on Instagram, tacking all the high end designer labels she was wearing during that trip. Brian Ross tonight with the rezry secretary, not explaining himself. Reporter: The treasury secretary today confirmed the ABC news report that he requested a government aircraft for his European honeymoon last month. But he said it wasn't a question of luxury for him and his wife, Louise, but one of having access to secure communications. Effectively it was a portable office, so that I could be available. And ultimately, we withdrew the request. Reporter: As seen in videos posted by his wife on Instagram, the honeymoon took the couple to a series of glamorous stops across Europe. Officials tell ABC news mnuchin withdrew the aircraft request after being told it would look bad for a man worth more than $300 million. I've never asked the government to pay for my personal tvel. Reporter: Mnuchin today also took umbrage at the suggestion he and his wife later took a government jet on an official trip to Kentucky, primarily to see the solar eclipse. We got there and I was like really? I don't have any interest in watching the eclipse. Reporter: But he did not address why his wife posted the hashtags of her designer clothing on a photo as they stepped off the government aircraft. Or her comments to critics. "Do you think the U.S. Government paid for our honeymoon or personal travel? Lol. Have you given more to the economy than me and my husband?" She later apologized for those comments. Brian Ross back with us live tonight. After first reporting this last night here. And president trump now responding tonight, Brian? Reporter: Yes, David. The president said he was unaware of the request, that he doubted mnuchin would have done anything wrong, calling him a straight shooter. David? Brian Ross, live in Washington.

This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.

President Donald Trump offered his support for Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin today after ABC News first reported he faces an internal inquiry into his request for a government jet to travel on his honeymoon this summer.

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